A thread about the Kampfgruppen

[Viktor]

I doubt that the Militia was in Strausberg to protect the Armed Forces Command, now housing the Army Command of the Bundeswehr.
They had enough Military to protect themselves.

Likely Genossen, the SED wanted some of their own men on site incase of …. unpleasentness.

[Kozlov]

Likely Genossen, the SED wanted some of their own men on site incase of …. unpleasentness.

Indeed, the most likely role of the SED's shock troops was probably as reliable resources in case of counter-revolution.

[Guardian 5]

Gennosen,

Please see below for an updated KdA Order of Battle. It is now organized by Bezirk (District) as was the organization itself.

Please feel free to update with units that you have knowledge of.

Thanks,
TJ

Kampfgruppen Order of Battle

Berlin
I. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Robert Uhrig"
• Like all motorized KG units, was designated a “Bezirkskampfkräfte”. This meant that it could deploy outside of its immediate district.
• Associated with the VEB Werkzeugmaschinen Kombinat (People’s Machine Tools Collective)

Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Werner Seelenbinder”
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Karl Liebknecht”

50. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.), Berlin-Mitte
100. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, Berlin-Mitte
104. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
66. Kampfgruppen-Zug

4. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.) “Max Fritch,” Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
108. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
202. Kampfgruppen-Zug, Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
203. Kampfgruppen-Zug, Berlin-Prenzlauerberg
• Awarded “Hans Janocha” Red Streamer

12. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, Berlin-Treptow

Bezirk Cottbus
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Deutsch-Sowjetische Freundschaft”
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.) Cottbus
• Designation unknown

5. Kampfgruppen-Hundertshaft Cottbus
10. Kampfgruppen-Hundertshaft

Subdivsions
Calau
151. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Heinz Rößinger” (title awarded on 7 OCT 1978)
205. Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Awarded Beste Einheit:1985,1987
• Awarded green wimple on 1 MAY 1975
Forst
218. Kampfgruppen-Zug (Kreis Forst)
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)
• Associated with VEB Forster Tuchfabrike
• Numerical designation unknown
Herzberg
Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Designation unknown
Merzdorf
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft MTS-Bereich
Kreis Seftenberg
102. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
Weißwasser
236. Kampfgruppen-Zug
238. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Dresden
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Bernard Koenen”

Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Kurt Schwenker”

19. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.) – “Otto Galle”

107. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
113. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
155. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
167. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
171. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
175. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft – “Erwin Kramer”

62. Kampfgruppen-Zug – “Kurt Kuhles”
214. Kampfgruppen-Zug
215. Kampfgruppen-Zug
229. Kampfgruppen-Zug
264. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Subdivisions
Bautzen
154. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Kurt Pchalek”
• Awarded green wimple on 7 OCT 1975
203. Kampfgruppen-Zug
206. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Freital
64. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Kirschau
1.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
Niesky
270. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Riesa
280. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Sebnitz
288. Kampfgruppen-Zug,”Walter Zinstein” (title awarded on 7 OCT 1974)
Zittau
31.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)

Bezirk Erfurt
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Karl Marx”
21. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
28. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
170. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
207. Kampfgruppen-Zug
222. Kampfgruppen-Zug
426. Kampfgruppen-Zug (Deutschen Reichsbahn)
Subdivisions
Nordhausen
II. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot)
• Awarded Green Streamer on 7 OCT 74
Ruhla
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft – VEB Fahrzeugelektrik Ruhla
• Awarded best HS of Kreises Eisenbach in 1963
Sandershausen
268. Kampfgruppen-Zug (Kreis Sandershausen)
Weimar
172. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (Kreis Weimar)
Worbis
108. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (Kreis Worbis)

Bezirk Frankfurt (Oder)
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Hermann Matern”
62. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Subdivisions
Bernau
151. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
Strausberg
34. Kampfgruppen-Zug (mot.)
219. Kampfgruppen-Zug
220. Kampfgruppen-Zug
262. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Gera
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Karl Leidner"

Subdivisions
Pößneck
Kampfgruppen Hundertschaft Pößneck

Bezirk Halle
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Karl Meseberg"
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), “Richard Knutzsch”
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), “Georgi Dimitropf”
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), “Max Lademann”
(The numerical designations of the KGBs are currently unknown.
The II.KGB had an assigned Nachrichtenzug).

8.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
9. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
27. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
34. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
42. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
112. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
116. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (m.)
190. KG-Battr (F)

Subdivsions
Bitterfeld
VEB Chemiekombinat Bitterfeld
• Motorized battalion; numerical designation unknown
o Organized in 1959
 General Herbert Drahne was the first commander
o Originally equipped with the MPi-41
o Awarded honor title, “Herman Fahlke”, on 4 OCT 1969
o Composed of the following factories:
 Electrochemical Industry
 Ink Factory Wolfen
 Film Factory Wolfen
Kampfgruppen-Batterie (Flak) Bitterfeld - No unit number
Quedlindburg
145. Kampfgruppen-Hundertshaft

Bezirk Karl-Marx-Stadt
I. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Albert Haehnel”
II. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.)
III. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.)
3. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, VEB Großdrehmaschinenbau "8. Mai" Karl-Marx-Stadt
21. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)

Subdivisions
Freiberg
143. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Robert Siewert” (honorific awarded on 1 May 85)
• Awarded Green Streamer on 7 OCT 73
• Awarded Beste Einheit wimple “1978”
• Awarded Beste Einheit wimple 1966/68
• Awarded unknown red streamer on 1 MAY 75
Kreis Oelsnitz
221.KGZ
Reichenbach
119. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
223 Kampfgruppen-Zug
225. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Schwarzenberg
37. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.), “Paul Guenther”
• Awarded the honor Title “Paul Guenther” on 7 OCT 1978
• Won best unit honors in 1970 and 1978
121. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Willy Krause”
• Beste Einheit: 1976
• Green wimple: 1 May 1974
• Awarded honor title, “Willy Krause” on 7 October 1978
Zwickau
67. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Leipzig
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Friedrich Engels”
24. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)

50.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (A)
II. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (M)
118. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
123. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
124. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
125. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
127. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
128. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
179. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
182. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft

Subdivisions
Delitzsch
153. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
135. Kampfgruppen-Zug
210. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Döbeln
110. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
Dommitzsch/Elbe (Kreis Torgau – Elbe)
Kampfgruppe V. Hundertschaft

Bezirk Magdeburg
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Ernst Thaelmann”
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Hermann Matern”
35. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
• Fla.-MG-Gruppe (Subordinate Unit)
229. Kampfgruppen-Zug, “Erich Weinert”
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, VEB Starksromanlagenbau
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Walter Kaßner”, VEB Fahlberg-List
• 2.Zug (Subordinate Unit)
• 3.Zug (Subordinate Unit)
Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft des Rates des Bezirkes (of the District Council)
Kampfgruppen Einheit des ASMW (Amt für Standardisierung, Meßwesen und Warenprüfung / Bureau for Metrology and Merchandise Testing, 1973 to 1990). Note: the ASMV office was located in Berlin-Koepenick, yet listed under the Magdeburg District’s command and control.
KdA Detachment, VEB Stahl - u. Apparatebau
• Unit designator unknown
• Confirmed active 1960-1961

Subdivisions
Burg
1.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.), Burg
Gardelegen
204. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Gommern
2. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)
3. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)
Haldensleben
214. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Neubrandenburg
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.), "Hans Arlo Eckelmann”

Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
• Designation unkown
• Awarded red streamer on 7 OCT 73
5. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, ”August Levin”
• Awarded honor title, “August Levin”, on 7 OCT 85
156. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft, “Horst Jonas”
209. Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Awarded “Banner der Arbeit” on 7 OCT 83

Subdivisions
Teterow
8. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Potsdam
I.Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.)
• 2. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (subordinate unit of the I. KGB)
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Hans Beimler”
(Currently unknown which of the KGBs were designated first or second)
106. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
110. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft VEB Schaltgerüstbau

Babelsberg District, Potsdam
“Walter Ulbricht” – Babelsberg
• Associated with Deutsche Akademie für Staats-u. Rechtswissenschaft (German Academy for National Jurisprudence)
• Size & numerical designation unknown

Subdivsions
Brandenburg
152. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft Brandenburg
201. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Ludwigsfelde
Kampfgruppenbataillon (mot.) “Arthur Ladwig”
• Affiliated with VEB Automobilwerke Ludwigsfelde
Nauen
157. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
Neuruppin
Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Designation unknown
Oranienburg
II. Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.)
160. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
229. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Rathenow
26. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.), “Friedrich Engels”
• Awarded Green Streamer on 7 OCT 1974
• Awarded honor title “Friedrich Engels” on 7 OCT 1978
Zossen
IV. Kampfgruppen-Battalion (mot.)
• Awarded Green Streamer on 7 OCT 1975
238. Kampfgruppen-Zug

Bezirk Rostock
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Mathias Thesen”

9. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)
50.Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.)
154. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
• Designated security unit for the district capital of Rostock (Kampfgruppen Sicherungseinheit aus der Bezirkshauptstadt Rostock).
• The unit was founded in 1987. The following enterprises were associated with the unit:
o Rat des Bezirkes Rostock (Rostock Advisory Commission)
o Bezirksfilmdirektion (District Film Management Agency)
o Bezirksdirektion Straßenwesen (District Road Management Agency)
o Staatliche Bauaufsicht (National Construction Office)
o Haus der Lehrer (Teacher’s Committee)
o Bezirkskabinett für außerunterrichtliche Tätigkeit (?)
o Bezirkskabinett für Unterricht und Weiterbildung (District Office for Instruction and Remedial Training)
o Bezirkskabinett für Weiterbildung der Berufspädagogen (District teacher’s Traiing School)
o Institut für Lehrerbildung (Institute for Teacher’s Training)
o VEB Ingenieursbüro für Rationalisierung (District Engineer Bureau)
o VEB Datenverarbeitung der Finanzorgane (District Office of Financial Processing)
o Technische Überwachung Rostock (Technical Monitoring Office)
156. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
223. Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Awarded Besten Einheit wimple, dates unknown
225. Kampfgruppen-Zug Rostock
• Security unit for the Heavy Machinery Collective
• Associated with VEB Schiffselektronik Rostock (Ship Electronics Factory)
192. Kampfgruppen-Batterie (Flak)

Subdivisions
Bad Doberan
217. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Greifswald
410. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
1. Kampfgruppen-Zug, "Werner Oestreich"
• Awarded honor title "Werner Oestreich" in 1987
• In 1988, the unit earned the "Verdienstmedaille der KG in Silber"
Rugen
169. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
• 7 Okt 74 streamer
15. Kampfgruppen-Zug
254. Kampfgruppen-Zug
276. Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Awarded honor title, "Kurt Bürger", on 7 OCT 89
• Associated with VEB Kreidewerke Rugen Klementelvitz
412. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft Deutsche Reichbann Fahr-komplex Mukran

Straslund
6. Selbständiger Zug, VPKA, Straslund
Wismar (ref # 417)
3. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot)
Wolgast
22. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft (mot.),
• Awarded Beste Einheit wimple 1966/68, 1980/82/85
• Awarded Green Streamer on 1 MAY 74
274. Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Awarded Beste Einheit: 1985/87
• Awarded Green Streamer on 1 MAY 1974
275. Kampfgruppen-Zug, "Karl Kießling"
• Awarded honor title "Karl Kießling" on 1 May 1986
• Awarded green Streamer on 7 OCT 1974

Bezirk Schwerin
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Kurt Buerger”

1. Selbständiger Zug, Bahnbetriebswerk Schwerin
421. Kampfgruppen-Zug, “Walter Griesbach”
• Awarded Green Streamer on 1 MAY 1974
• Awarded honor title, “Walter Griesbach”, on 7 OCT 1977

Subdivisions
Güstrow
420. Kampfgruppen-Zug
Hagenow
Kampfgruppen-Zug
• Beste Einheit: 1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982
Perleberg
Kampfgruppen-Zug “Bruno Schramm” (numerical designation unknown)
• Beste Einheit: 1966, 1970, 1982
• 1 Mai 72 streamer (red)

Bezirk Suhl
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.),”Fritz Sattler”
6. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
150. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft
• 256. Kampfgruppen-Zug (subordinate unit)
160. Kampfgruppen-Hundertschaft



Designated Units; Location Unkown
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.) Bruno Kühn
Kampfgruppen-Bataillon (mot.) Erich Weinert
62. Kampfgruppen-Zug
I/11 Hundertschaft, Kreis Mitte
Note: Estimated 12 KdA Flak Batteries in addition to Rostock Unit
Note: Per 1998 KdA unit map 2021 total possible units; 55 Bn, 526 HS, 1440 Zug.

[Eric Gaumann]

New KG medals, plus more.

Genossen, I received a package today from Germany. Got a nice KG bar off German ebay for a very good price IMO. Here it is, front and back, and also a shot with his new comrades.


evidently no pictures today.
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If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error."

[Eric Gaumann]

retry

Let's try again with smaller images...

[Eric Gaumann]

Those images are a little too bright, I will try again tomorrow for some better images.
There is some nice patina on the silver KG medal, I like that. And I really like that the bar is mounted on a four place slide with the pin attachment, that's an added bonus as that hardware is getting harder and harder to find in my limited experience.

[Venturefan260]

A very nice group of medals Eric, thanks for showing! I have to start collecting some more DDR medals myself.

[speedytop]

Hi,

first a used stamp (Stempel) of the Kampfgruppen.

Next a nice medal for the "III. Kampfgruppenbataillon (m) Paul Leidner" in Gera.

Uwe

[Ralph P]

Uwe - . Do you by chance know the time period of the stamp?

[speedytop]

Ralph, no, I have no time frame for the stamp.

the next one is medal for the "1. Spartakiade der Kampfgruppen in Berlin 1967".

Uwe

[Ralph P]

Uwe - thank you for your follow up comment.

Also, not seen the badge you just posted before, thanks.

[speedytop]

Let's go on,

the first medal of the "10. Kampfgruppenspartakiade Halle".

Uwe

[speedytop]

The next two medals are interesting, because they are based on the medals for the Soldatenfestspiele of the MfS, Wachregiment Berlin, organized since 1961.

The two medals are in the same dimensions, the large medal with a ribbon, and the small medal with a needle.
From the large medal I have only silver versions, the small medals exist in Bronze, Silber and Gold.

Uwe

[Ralph P]

Uwe - the last two posts...

[Eric Gaumann]

Is this the correct order of wear/precedence?

Is this the correct order of wear/precedence? I'm having trouble placing the Medaille fuer Ausgezeichnete Leistungen in den Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse (Kampfgruppen Meritorious Medal). I've seen it in various places on bars.

Another question: In my image of two rows of medals the top row is just single medals, unmounted and laid side by side. The bottom row however is mounted on a pin-back slide of the second style that the DDR used. Why is it that it seems the medals were mounted right to left with both sides of the ribbon being seen?

It is polar opposite of the Soviet style. Was that intentional? But the NVA awards were (usually) mounted the same way and only had one ribbon showing (ala Soviet 'style') except for the furthest right ribbon. Why did KG (and others, VP for example) medal suspensions have the upper part of the ribbon towards the left whereas NVA (and others) have that upper ribbon on the right side? I've never understood that.